Publications
Summary of publication
Relatively few Papua New Guineans have participated in Australia's Seasonal Worker Programme (SWP) managed by the Australian Department of Employment (DoE), and its predecessor, the Pacific Seasonal Worker Pilot Scheme (PSWPS). This study is the first among Papua New Guinean returnees and as such is filling an important knowledge gap about the experiences of Papua New Guinean participants in the SWP. Thirty-four (34) seasonal workers returned to Papua New Guinea (PNG) in three groups between August and October 2016. Of these, 26 participated in interviews as part of this study.
Nearly all respondents remitted an average of AUD 3,350 each to spouses, parents, children and other relatives in PNG. Most remittances were spent on everyday expenses followed by health-related and education-related expenses, as well as traditional obligations/wantok. In some families, remittances were used for investments and in seven cases were used to start a business or to invest in an existing business. The report also looks at ways the Australian Government must look to continue its efforts to increase the impact of remittances for the people of PNG and reduce the potential for negative effects.